WHERE WERE WE WHEN WE NEEDED EACH OTHER?

My father was a Miner,
in a pit in South Yorkshire.
It was closed by the NCB,
in the middle of last year.

But I didn't give a damn,
I was doing alright in my job.
I was a print worker in Fleet Street.
I was glad I had my job.

But there’s now a print works in Wapping,
built by a Capitalist git.
It’s been built on the backs of 6000 workers,
thrown out onto the street.

But my Father’s now a worker there,
driving for TNT.
He’s helping to take my job away,
he’s ‘scabbing’ back at me.

First, they came for the Jews,
but I didn't speak out because I wasn't one.

Then they came for the Gays,
but I didn't speak out because I wasn't one.

Then they came for the Blacks,
but I didn't speak out because I wasn't one.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
but I didn't fight back because I'm not one.

But now they’re coming for me,
and there’s nobody left to fight with me.

Oh Mother, tell your children,
not to do what I have done.
Living with my head in the sand,
ignoring everyone.

"Solidarity" is important,
it’s not an empty word.
We've got to stick together,
for the sake of our futures.


Copyright: Gordon Warren (1986)